Morocco initiates nationwide emergency relief efforts following floods that resulted in numerous fatalities.
As Morocco faces the devastating consequences of winter storms, the nation’s response highlights a commitment to solidarity and resilience. The government has swiftly mobilized resources to assist thousands of families affected by flooding and extreme cold, underscoring not only the urgency of humanitarian aid but also the importance of community care in times of crisis.
Morocco has initiated a comprehensive emergency relief operation to support families affected by severe winter weather, including deadly floods and plunging temperatures. Announced on December 17, this initiative aims to assist approximately 73,000 households across 28 provinces that have been impacted by torrential rains, snowstorms, and freezing conditions.
Authorities are actively distributing essential food supplies and blankets to families in the hardest-hit areas, as weather officials warn that hazardous conditions are likely to persist throughout the coming days. This relief effort follows a tragic flash flood in the coastal city of Safi on December 15, which resulted in the loss of 37 lives when an unexpected deluge overwhelmed the city.
In just one hour of intense rainfall, about 70 homes and commercial properties sustained damage, as muddy torrents swept vehicles through the streets and trapped residents inside buildings. Emergency services reported that 14 individuals required hospitalization, with two remaining in intensive care. The local education authority has temporarily closed schools in Safi for at least three days due to debris and mud blocking access routes.
The flooding was particularly severe in the Bab Chabaa district, where water levels surged to approximately four meters (13 feet) in some areas. One resident, a 67-year-old rights activist, recounted how shopkeepers became trapped inside their stores as floodwaters rose rapidly, with some unable to escape.
Heart-wrenching stories emerged from the disaster; one mother of six lamented her family’s total loss, escaping with only the clothes on her back. Meanwhile, local prosecutors have launched an investigation to examine potential infrastructure failures that may have exacerbated the flooding. While a government meteorologist indicated that rainfall levels were typical for the region, there is concern about whether inadequate drainage systems contributed to the disaster’s severity.
Weather authorities have issued a red alert for snowfall reaching 80 cm (31 inches) in the High Atlas mountains, alongside an orange alert for heavy rain in central and northern regions. In mountainous areas southeast of Rabat, snow depths have already reached 50 cm (20 inches) with nighttime temperatures dipping below freezing, further complicating recovery efforts.
This extreme weather follows seven consecutive years of drought, which significantly depleted many of the country’s vital reservoirs. Last year marked the hottest recorded temperature in Morocco, and climate scientists emphasize that rising temperatures are leading to increasingly intense and unpredictable storms across North Africa.
The recent events in Safi come just days after two buildings collapsed in the historic city of Fes, resulting in the deaths of 22 people, raising critical concerns about building standards and urban infrastructure in Morocco’s older districts.
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